History of Cornerstone Lodge #91
History
As
the result of a petition submitted by Brothers Bail S. Christmon, H.K. Holmes,
E.M. Stevenson and several others, Cornerstone Lodge was warranted under
dispensation by Grand Master Thomas H. Samuels as a subordinate lodge under the
jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons, State of Illinois on March 10, 1919. Upon receipt of the necessary fees
and satisfaction of the Lodge’s capabilities, the necessary documentation was
referred to the Committee on Charters and Dispensations under the chairmanship
of Richard E. Moore at the 53rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. On
October 9, 1919 the following was recommended by the committee:
“Corner
Stone Lodge U.D., Chicago. We, your committee, recommend that a charter be
granted Corner Stone lodge U.D., located in Chicago, Ill., to be known on our
register as No. 91. First Worshipful Master, Bro. Samuel M. Wright; First
Senior Warden, Bro. Charles C. Gransberry; First Junior Warden, Bro. David
Marshall. Number charter members 318.”
It
was moved by Brother P.H. Lewis of Western Star Lodge No. 87 and seconded by
Brother J.I. Bell of, Decatur (John C. Ellis) Lodge No. 17, that the report of
the committee be approved. Motion prevailed. As such, Cornerstone Lodge No. 91
was warranted on October 9, 1919. To accommodate the membership of the Lodge,
Cornerstone Lodge held two regular meetings per month on the First and Third
Saturdays at the Grand East and the charter was delivered on a Third Saturday
on February 18, 1920 by D.D.G.M. W.C. Ellington. The words of the charter are
listed below:
"WHEREAS,
a petition by Brother B.S. Christmon, H.K. Holmes, E.M. Stevenson and several
other brothers was submitted and with combined efforts appointed Brother S.M.
Wright, the first Worshipful Master of Cornerstone Lodge No. 91 with Brother
Charles C. Gransberry, first Senior Warden and Brother David Marshall, first
Junior Warden.
"NOW,
KNOW YE, That the Most Worshipful Grand Master T.H. Samuels; Right Worshipful
W.W. Rogers, Deputy Grand Master; Right Worshipful S.A. Lane, Grand Senior
Warden; Right Worshipful G.G. Fletcher, Grand Junior Warden, and Right
Worshipful James C. Adams, Grand Secretary, granted a charter with full Masonic
authority to conduct business as Cornerstone Lodge No. 91, under the rules and
regulations of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois and
Jurisdiction, in the city of Chicago, October 9,1919.
"RESOLVED,
that we honorably thank God, past and present Grand Lodge Officers; past and
present Past Masters; and brothers, for continuing the work started 80 years
ago and we dedicate ourselves to labor in the everlasting teaching of Jesus
Christ, John the Evangelist, John the Baptist and King Solomon."
While
the Great depression impacted the growth of all Lodges in the jurisdiction,
Cornerstone continued to play an active role in the affairs of the Grand Lodge
and within society as a whole.
Attorney William J. Latham, a prominent
member of Cornerstone in the 1920s, handled many of the riot cases that grew
out of the Chicago Race Riots of 1919.
Dr. Andras Babero, world-reknown
entertainer, organized our sister chapter Princess Syene No. 114 in 1925 and
served as the Grand Lodge representative to Canada and Liberia.
Colonel James McCall, a member of
Cornerstone during the 1920s commanded a division of subordinate Grand United
Order of Odd Fellows Lodges and Ancient United Knights and Daughters of Africa
Councils during the Grand Parade for the cornerstone laying ceremony of the
Grand East at its location on 56th and State street in Chicago.
Past Master Elmer Cotton not only served as
an active participant on several Grand Lodge committees but also served as an
elected officer of the National Alumni Association of the LeMoyne College Club.
The
trend of high participation of Cornerstone Lodge members in both the Grand
Lodge and society continued from the World War II years through the 1990s:
Past Master James Henson not only served as
chairman of the 1940 St. John’s Day Service but also as the Associate Editor of
the Past Master’s Topics magazine in 1947 which later evolved into the Prince
Hall Masonic Journal. He also served as W.M. of Granite #11 of Michigan from 1951-52
and Grand Master of the MWPHGL of Michigan in 1963.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s Past
Master James Zinn not only served as the Grand Tyler and the Treasurer of Past
Master’s Council No. 1 but also served as Director of the South Side Community Committee
of the Citizens of Greater Chicago and made a several bids for a G.O.P.
delegate post in the 1960s.
Past Master Herbert Dyce served several
terms as the secretary of the Sunset Country Club which is one of the first
black country clubs in the city of Chicago during the 1940s and 50s.
Past Master William Burke not only served
his country proud during the times of war but also served the Most Ancient
Prince Hall Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho as its Worthy Grand Joshua in 1956
while serving as Worshipful Master of Cornerstone.
Past Master William Fallis not only served
as a radio host but also used these talents during his appointment as the Grand
Lodge Public Relations director in 1965 and his election as potentate of Arabic
Temple #44, A.E.A.O.N.M.S. in the 1960s.
The efforts of Past Masters Fallis, Herbert
Dyce and Herman Duckett during the 1960s led to countless donations to the
Chicago Defender Charities fund.
In 1967 under the leadership of Past Master
Leo McCann Cornerstone Lodge No. 91 and Princess Syene No. 114 presented
William H. Robinson, Executive Director of the Department of Public Aid, with
the “Citizen of the Year” award for outstanding civic and community work.
The Honorable George W. Cole served as an
appellate court Judge in Chicago.
During the early 1970s 50 year pins of
service to Prince Hall Masonry were awarded to Past Masters James Zinn, Herbert
Dyce and William Brown.
During the 1980s, the first ever elected
Grand Lodge officer of Cornerstone Lodge was Right Worshipful Robert Davenport
who served the Grand Lodge well as Grand Trustee for countless terms receiving
Emeritus status in the late 1990s.
Dr. Damon T. Arnold not only served as the
Grand Director of Health for the Grand Lodge during the 1990s but also served his
country during the Gulf Wars.
For years of dedicated pastoring to
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church and service to its community, West 66th St.
was renamed “Honorary Rev. Cartha McKenzie Way.”
While
this list does not encompass all labors it shows that Cornerstone Lodge No. 91
has been very active in charitable and civil affairs not only on behalf of the
craft but also for society as a whole thereby exhibiting the tenets of our
fraternity to a high degree.
Past Masters
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